The Building Department administers and enforces regulations, pertaining to use of property and the construction of buildings. It reviews plans and conducts filed inspections for compliance with various local, state, and federal codes and standards, particularly the Town Zoning Code and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (NYSUFPBC). These codes apply to planning, zoning, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fire, health and the environment.

All building projects ranging from a small addition to a major commercial structure must meet certain standards of safety. The Building Department receives and processes all applications for construction, alterations, additions, and accessory structures for residential and commercial projects, for compliance with the Town of Clarence Code and Building Department requirements, in addition to the requirements of the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code. Projects under review by the department are not permitted to begin prior to the issuance of the permit.

Responsibilities of the Department and Code Enforcement Officers are as follows:

Plan review for compliance with NYSFPBC, Town of Clarence Code and applicable reference standards.

Respond to requests from the Town Fire Departments pertaining to unsafe equipment or conditions, damage due to structure fires and illegal open burning.

Respond to structure fires for assistance to Fire Department command staff related to building design, contents, potential failure, damage estimates, origin and cause, determining if building can be occupied, and to provide assistance to the residents and occupants displaced by the incident.